Falls

He gave the grullo stallion a return nod as he stated he was honored to be neighbors. “Likewise, Björn, I am glad to be your neighbor as well.” The conversation quickly reverted to the child – Sauron – and Gnome grinned down at the boy. “It certainly doesn’t hold him back, I agree,” he said brightly. He was delighting in watching the little family interact, but he began to feel a bit uncomfortable when talk turned to Shaydowfax and a fellow called Warsaw. He shot Sauron a quick wink before he looked out over the clearing, willing something to catch his eye other than the other adults.
The colt was clearly smitten with his father, which Gnome was glad to see. He surmised that the three did not live together when Sauron lamented that Björn lived too far away, but he was glad that they made time for each other.

At last the subject changed again, and Gnome nodded politely. “Of course, that is the reason I am here as well. It’s nice to get away and have a variety of conversations.” He paused, listening to the queries about Paradise. “It is quite nice, though a little warm for my liking. A long while ago I lived in the Prairie with my family. There were not so many equine on the isles then, but it is so good to see them teeming with life now.”

Mentioning the Prairie brought a task to the forefront of his mind again. It was a task that he had avoided for over a whole year now. He knew it was time to face it head on. He looked at each of his current companions in turn and said, “I’m sorry, I don’t mean at all to be rude, but I don’t wish to interrupt your family meeting any longer, and there is something I need to attend to. It was so nice to meet you all, and I hope to meet you again soon.” He lowered his head down to Sauron’s level with a smile. “Farewell, young Sauron, make sure you keep your parents in line.” His voice was slightly louder than usual to account for the boy’s lack of ears, but it was not quite a shout. He gave a final nod to Björn and Shaydowfax before he turned and made his way back to the beach.

Gnome